Stoke chief rules out Shawcross exit

20 May 2010 09:30

Stoke chairman Peter Coates has ruled out the possibility of Ryan Shawcross moving on and welcomed Manchester United's sale of Ben Foster.

Shawcross has been linked with Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool and most recently his former club United over the past 12 months and speculation is likely to be rife again this summer of interest from elsewhere.

New Premier League rules state clubs must have at least eight players in a squad of 25 that were registered by an English or Welsh club for a minimum of three years between the ages of 16 and 21.

That puts a higher price on the likes of Shawcross but Stoke have received no bids for the 22-year-old and would not entertain selling the England hopeful in any case.

Coates told the Stoke Sentinel: "We voted for the new rule because we believe it will be good for football and will help teams to develop their own players.

"I am all for young English players being in demand, but we rate Ryan very highly and I am sure he will be playing for us next season."

Meanwhile Coates confirmed Stoke are set for a financial windfall falling Foster's move to Birmingham yesterday.

The Potters inserted a 30 per cent sell-on clause on any profit United made on the goalkeeper when they sold him to the Red Devils for an initial £1million in 2005.

Reports claim Birmingham have paid as much as £6million for the 27-year-old, a fee that would benefit Stoke to the tune of £1.5million.

Coates said: "We always try to cover ourselves in these deals.

"When we heard talk about Ben possibly going we were hoping Manchester United would get as much as possible. It is all welcome."